Valve operating mechanism for



Nov. 19, 1935. J. A. JENSEN Re. 19,760

VALVE OPERATING MECHANISM FOR TANK VEHICLES Original Filed April 12,.1953 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 I I v l N VEN TOR.- Jams H Jansbn,

TORNEY Nov. 19, 1935. J. A JENSEN VALVE OPERATING MECHANISM FOR TANKVEHICLES Original Filed April 12, 1953 5 Shegts-Sheet 2 INVENTOR:

. Jim/sen,

A TTORNEYS.

- Jams 97 n u u wmmmm I 1 I I Nov. 19, 1935. JI JENSEN 19,760

VALVE OPERATING MECHANISM FOR TANK VEHICLES Original Filed April 12,1955 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 FIG Z M I N VEN TOR:

TORNEYS.

J mas #1 102155111,

Nov. 19, 1935. J. A. JENSEN VALVE OPERATING MECHANISM FOR TANK VEHICLESOriginal Filed April 12. 1953 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 I N V EN TOR:

Jams fl JLILSl/H, BY W A TORNEYS.

Nov. 19, 1935. J. A. JENSEN 19,760

I VALVE OPERATING MECHANISM FOR TANK VEHICLES Original Filed April 12,1935 5 Sheeis-Sheet 5 Wmvassss; 1 I v 5 amps flJmsz/n,

INVENTOR-fi' Reissued Nov. 19, 1935 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE VALVEOPERATING MECHANISM FOR TANK VEHICLES James A. Jensen, Philadelphia,Pa., assignor to Quaker City Iron Works, Philadelphia, Pa., a acorporation of Pennsylvania Original No. 1,932,972, dated October 31,1933, Serial No. 665,642, April 12, 1933. Reissue No.

19,691, dated September 3,

1935, Serial No.

23,517, May 25, 1935. This application for reissue September 20, 1935,Serial No. 41,459

39 Claims.

This invention relates to valve operating mech anism for tank vehiclessuch as are ordinarily employed in the delivery of gasoline, oils andother liquid commodities. More specifically, my invention has referenceto valve operating mechanism for liquid product delivery vehicleswherein the tanks are subdivided into a number of compartments havingindividual valves to govern outlets in communication with a common drainpipe 19 that extends rearward along the bottom of the tank, and whereinthere is usually a utility or can box at the rear of the vehicle.

Considered from thebroadest aspect, my invention is directed toward theprovision of simple and reliable mechanism with segregated controls at apoint on the vehicle convenient of access to the driverpreferably in theutility box aforementionedwhereby the drain valves may be operatedeither individually or collectively as required incident to dispensingthe liquid contents of the several compartments of the tank;

A further object of my invention is to provide in connection with tankvalve operating mechanism characterized as above, auxiliary control 2.",means, whereby, in the event of fire at the delivery end of the drainpipe, the individual controls of any valves which may be open at thetime, may be simultaneously actuated from a remote point on the vehicle,for example, at the 30 front of the latter.

\ Another aim of my invention is to provide in association with theauxiliary control means above referred to, means capable in the event ofa fire originating at the rear of the vehicle and 3.; persisting in theabsence of the driver, of automatically actuating the segregatedcontrols in the utility box, to effect closure of any open drain valves.

Still another object of my invention is to insure 41) against the drainvalves being left open as a consequence of carelessness or forgetfulnesson the part of the driver after making a delivery, through provision ofmeans which will function automatically incident to shutting the door ofthe :3 utility box, to trip the segregated controls of any open valves.

Other objects and attendant advantages of this invention will bemanifest from the detailed description following of the attacheddrawings,

so wherein Fig. I is a partial side elevation of a tank vehicleembodying my improved valve operating mechanism.

' Fig. II is a fragmentary View showing the top of the vehicle tank.

55 Fig. 111 is a fragmentary longitudinal section of the rear end of thetank drawn to a larger scale.

Fig. IV is a fragmentary cross sectional view taken as indicated by thearrows IV-IV in Fig. III showing in rear elevation the segregated con- 5trols of my valve operating mechanism.

Fig. V is a view like Fig. IV but more limited in scope, showing therear elevation of the segregated control means on a larger scale.

Fig. VI shows the left hand side elevation of w the control means.

Fig. VII is a sectional view taken as indicated by the arrows VIIVII inFig. V.

Fig. VIII is a perspective view of a universal trip member forming apart of the control means. Fig. IX is a left hand side elevation of theoperating connections for the drain valves.

Fig. X is a rear elevation of the operating connection shown in Fig. IX.

Fig. In is a sectional view of the safety fusible link means.

Fig. HI is a rear elevation of the safety fusible link-means.

The vehicle tank chosen for the purposes of illustration herein, andcomprehensively desig- 5 nated by the numeral I5 in the drawings, iscomposed of four serially-arranged separately-constructed unitcompartments l6 of different capacities which are bound to each otherand to the chassis ll of the vehicle, after common practice in this art,by embracing straps I8. Similarly secured to the endmost tankcompartment l6 at the rear of the vehicle I1, is a utility box IQ forthe storage of utensils, tools, etc. used in dispensing the liquidscarried by the vehicle, said box having a door 20 hinged at 2| to swingupward to open position as shown in Fig. III. The several tankcompartments l6 are individually provided with bottom discharge outlets22 which connect with a common drain pipe 23 extending 4o longitudinallyrearward of the bottom of the vehicle, see Fig. I. Discharge through theoutlets 22 is governable by individual valves 24 which may be of anyapproved design and which open upward against the pressure of springsconcealed within them.

The mechanism which I have devised, for selectively operating the drainvalves 24 of a vehicle tank structure such as above briefly described,includes a group of segregated controls embody- [0 ing valve operatinglevers or arms 25 which correspond in-number to the valves, and whichare housed within the utility box It at the rear end of the vehicle. Asshown in Figs. III, VI and VII, the operating levers or arms 25 are ofangular u configuration viewed from the side, and fulcrumed at one endfor coaxial swinging movement, their common axis being in a shaft 26which is supported ina mounting 21 secured to the bottom of the box l9by means of bolts 28, see also Figs. IV-VI. These lever arms 25 are hereshown as provided with handles at their other ends, so that they maybedirectly operated by hand, and are loose on'their common shaft 26 forindependent operation: accordingly, separate holding or locking means(of toggle action) are shown for them, to maintain them fixed when swungto open the corresponding valves. Pivotally connected ,at their lower.ends to eccentric centers 299 on theindividual lever arms or controlhandles 25, in thevicinity of the bends or angles of the latter, are(kinked) terminals or toggle links 29 .(Figs. III, VI and VII) whereofthe upper ends are inturn connected, with interposition of slackadjusting screw fittings 29a, to cables .30. The cables 30 pass throughguide tubes 3| which extend upwardin the compartment i9 and thenlongitudinally forward, along the top of the tank l5, to individualoperating connections 32 for the valves 24 of the several tankcompartments 16. From Figs. III and IV, it will be noted that the guidetubes ail are secured at their rear ends by a manifold clamp 33supported on the top of an upright rectangular frame 34 surrounding thebracket 21, while their forward ends are individually secured as shownin Figs. I,'II, IX and X to integral clamps 3 of the bearing brackets 36of the operating connections 32, which latter are aflixed to the tops ofthe respective tank sections l6.

Referring to Figs. IX and 'X, each of the operating connections 32comprises abell crank member 31 which is fulcrumed-at-38 on thebracket-36. In each instance, the forward end of the ,cable 30 isconnected, by means of a clevis fitting 39, to the downward extremity51a of the bell crank member 31; while the yoked horizontal.extremity31b of said member'has its ends pivotally connected to the ends of alifting fork 40 at the top end of a stem 4| which extends down through astuffing box 42 on the bracket 36 into the tank compartment 16. A hookedlink extending up from the valve 24 in each tank compartment isconnected, with interposition of a turnbuckle 44, to the bottom end ofthe stem 4|; and a helical spring 45, surrounding said stem and pressingdownward against a collar 46 thereon, serves to maintain thecorresponding cable -30 under tension, and, at the same time, assiststhe concealed spring of the valve 24 to hold the -latter closed.Normally, the valve operating levers .or arms 25 are maintained invertical position as shown in Figs. IV and VII, through engagement oftoothlike 'lugs 25a on them with :the top horizontal 21a of the mounting2-1.

When any one of the operating -lev.er arms or control handles 25 isswung from the normal vertical position shown in Figs. I and Vsubstantially through a quadrant to the horizontal position shown inFig. VI, a pull is induced in the corresponding cable 30 with resultantopening, through the intermediate elements already described, of thedrain valve 24 in the corresponding tank compartment l6, against theresistance of its spring 45. After being swung downward as justexplained, the lever arm or control handle 25 is prevented fromreturning by toggle action at its eccentric center ,2 99, since thereverse pull of the spring 45 through the connections above deing ofsuch compartment.

to fixed anchorages 51 of the corresponding tank compartment is held 5set or locked in open position, to permit drain-- The downward swing ofthe lever or arm 25 is limited, as will be noted from Fig. VI, byengagement of said arm with the cross bar 41a of an element 41 which isillustrated in perspective in Fig. VIII, and, which, for reasons lateron explained, serves as a trip device. As shown, this trip member 41 isformed at opposite .ends-of .its cross bar 41a with drop hangersrflbwhich are apertured to engage the rock shaft .26 of the levers or arms25 in the intervals between the bosses of the endmost of said'lever armsand the sides 21b of the mounting 21, said hangers being secured to therock shaft by pins 48, see Fig. V. Projecting laterally from the endhangers 41b of the trip'member 41 are lugs-41c, 41d, which, bycooperation with the side verticals 21b of the mounting "21, permit alimited amount of rockingmovement of the-rock shaft 26.

To one end of the rock shaft'26 is pinned or keyed fast another (manual)operating lever arm or handle 49,'which is subject to the downward pullof a tension spring 50, andwhich is thus normally held in horizontalposition as shown in Fig. III, as a consequence of the enforced contactof the lugs "41c on'the trip'member 4-1 withthe side-verticals 21b ofthe mounting 21. By liftingthe lever arm 49, anti-clockwise movementwill obviouslybe imparted to the rock shaft 26 and the trip-member.attached to it, with attendant rearward displacement and tripping orunlocking of any of the lever arms "25 (and terminalspor links '29)which may have'been depressed'by the cross bar 4111 of said trip-memher,and-with consequent restoration of said lever arms to their normalupright positions .by the cables 30 under the influence of the springs$5 of the connections-52. The drain valves24 corresponding to the togglelocks tripped as just explained are thus simultaneously released andpermitted to close {automatically under the action of their'concealedsprings.

In order to make it possible to close .the drain valves 24 from thefront of ,the vehicle in the 5 event of a -fire at ithe delivery end ofthe -;drain pipe 23, I have provided a supplemental control in the formof an additional cable =51 whose rear end is connected .at 52 to thetrip lever arm 49, and which is operable'by means of a grasp 5i attachedthereto at its forward end. As shown in Figs. I, II and III, theadditional cable '5] is threaded through a guide tube 54 which extendsupward in the compartment I9 from .a special clamp 55 on a bracketprojection 5.6 of the-frame (30 34, and then forwardly along the top ofthe tank 11 (with the guide tubes 31 for the cables '30) Pulling of :thegrasp .53 will obviously result in lifting of the Myer arm 49 in thecompartment 19, and, in turn, in the 55 simultaneous closure of anyvalves124 which may 'be open at the time.

piston-like plunger 59. As shown in Fig. XI, this plunger 59 iscup-shaped in cross section and pierced centrally at 60 for free passageor reeving of the cable therethrough during normal operation of thelatter. A helical spring 6| with its lower end abutting anaxially-operated disk 62, heldby a pair of cross pins 63 in the bottomend of the cylinder 58, tends to urge the plunger 59 upward out of saidcylinder. Fulcrumed at 64 to one .side of the bracket 55 is an arm 65which is normally held, by means of a fusible link 66, in the positionillustrated in Fig. XI, with a lateral projection 61 thereofintercepting the plunger 59. Upon failure of the link 66 through fusionunder the action of flame or heat, it is evident that the arm 65 will beleft unrestrained, whereby the plunger 59 is released to the action ofthe spring 6|. In being thus released, the plunger 59 will spend itsforce upwardly against a clamp collar 68 on the cable 5|, therebycausing the lever arm 49 to be lifted, and, in turn,

causing any open drain valves 24 to be simul-' taneously closed throughthe intervening parts of the trip means.

As a safeguard against forgetfulness or negligence on the part of thedriver to insure that the drain valves 24 are all closed before thevehicle gets under Way after making a delivery, I couple the lever arm49, as shown in Fig. III, with a projecting anchorage 69 bolted to thedoor 20 of the compartment I9 adjacent the hinge 2|, by means of a linkconnection 10 consisting of a cable section II and a tension spring 12.As the projecting anchorage 69 moves upward in the box I9 to the dot anddash line position in Fig. III'as the door 20 is shut, the trip leverarm 49 is automatically lifted and any open drain valve 24 closes as aresult. The spring 12 constitutes a means to prevent breakage or bendingof the interacting parts of the trip mechanism in case that the cablesection 'II of the connection 10 is too short.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. Valve operating mechanism for multi-compartment tanks having separateself-closing valves to govern discharge of liquid from the individualcompartments, said mechanism comprising a group of operating levers orarms for the several valves and holding means to maintain any or all ofsaid arms fixed when swung to open the corresponding valves, and meansfor tripping the holding means when set and thus causing release andclosure of the open valves.

2. Valve operating mechanism for multi-compartment tanks having separateself-closing valves to govern discharge of liquid from the individualcompartments, said mechanism comprising a group of operating levers orarms for the several valves and toggle means to be set to hold any orall of said valves open when the corresponding arms are swung to openthem, and a device for tripping the toggle means when so set and thuscausing release and closure of the open valves.

3. Valve operating mechanism for multi-compartment tanks having separateself-closing valves to govern discharge of liquid from the individualcompartments, said mechanism comprising control means including a groupof coaxial operating levers or arms for the several valves, with meansfor automatically locking the control means to hold any or all of saidvalves open when the corresponding levers are swung to open them, andseparate. actuating means to release said locking means and thus causeclosure of the open valves.

4. Valve operating mechanism for multi-compartment tanks having separateself-closing valves to govern discharge of liquid from the individualcompartments, said mechanism comprising a group of operating levers orarms for the several valves and separate holding means operativelyassociated with each of said arms for maintaining any or all of themfixed when swung to open the corresponding valves, and common means fortripping such holding means so set and thus causing release and closureof the open valves.

5. Valve operating mechanism for multi-compartment tanks having separateself-closing valves to govern discharge of liquid from the individualcompartments, said mechanism comprising control means including a groupof ooaxial operating levers or arms for the several valves, with meansoperatively associated with. said arms for separately locking any or allof said valves open when the corresponding arms are swung to open them,and common actuating means to release any or all such locking means andthus cause closure of the open valves.

6. Valve operating mechanism for multi-comcompartment tanks havingseparate self-closing valves to govern discharge of liquid from theindividual compartments, said mechanism comprising a group of operatinglevers or arms for the several valves and holding means to maintain anyor all of said arms fixed when swung to open the corresponding valves,means for tripping the holding means when set and thus causing releaseand closure of the open valves, and means responsive to excessive heator flame for automatically actuating said tripping means in the event offire.

7. Valve operating mechanism for multi-compartment tanks having separateself-closing valves to govern discharge of liquid from the individualcompartments, said mechanism comprising a group of operating levers orarms for the several valves and holding means to maintain any or all ofsaid arms fixed when swung to open the corresponding valves, withflexible con nectors for coordinating said lever arms with thecorresponding valves, and means for tripping the holding means when setand thus causing release and closure of the open valves.

8. Valve operating mechanism for multi-compartment tanks having separateself-closing valves to govern discharge of liquids from the individualcompartments, said mechanism comprising a group of operating lever arms,and flexible connectors coordinating the valves with toggle centers onthe lever arms whereby, when swung to open the corresponding valves,said lever arms are held set under toggle action.

9. Valve operating mechanism for multi-compartment tanks having separateself-closing valves to govern discharge of liquids from the individualcompartments, said mechanism comprising a group of operating lever arms,flexible connectors coordinating the valves with toggle centers onsaidlever arms so that when any of said lever arms are swung to open thecorresponding valves, such lever arms are held set under toggle action,and means for tripping the togglesthus set and so causing release andclosure of the corresponding valves.

10. Valve operating mechanism for multicompartment tanks having separateself-closing valves to govern discharge of liquids from the individualcompartments, said mechanism comprising a segregated group ofindependently-operable controls in the form of lever handles, an elementassociated with each control handle to hold it set when swung to openthe corresponding valve, connectors coordinating the holding elementsindividually with the valves, a trip member common to the holdingelements, and means whereby the trip member may be actuated tosimultaneously trip the holding elements of any control handles, pre-setas aforesaid, to release the corresponding valves.

11. Valve operating mechanism for multicompartment tanks having separateself-closing valves to govern discharge of liquids from the individualcompartments, said mechanism comprising a segregated group ofindependently-operable controls in the form of lever handles, an elementassociated with each control handle to hold it set when swung to openthe corresponding valve; flexible connectors coordinating the holdingelements individually with the valves, tubes for guiding the flexibleconnectors, a trip member common to the holding elements, and meanswhereby the trip member may be actuated to simultaneously trip theholding elements of any control handles pre-set as aforesaid to releasethe corresponding valves.

12. Valve operating mechanism for multicompartment tanks having separateself-closing valves to govern discharge of liquid from the individualcompartments, said mechanism comprising a segregated group ofindependently-operable controls in the form of lever handles, connectorscoordinating the control handles individually with the drain valves, atoggle link associated with each control'handle to hold it set whenswung to open the corresponding valve, a trip member common to thetoggle links; and means whereby the trip member may be actuated tosimultaneously trip the toggle links of any control handles pre-set asaforesaid, to release the corresponding valves.

13. Valve operating mechanism for multicompartment tanks having separateself-closing valves to govern discharge of liquids from the individualcompartments, said mechanism comprising a segregated group ofindependently-operable controls in the form of lever handles, a shaftwhereon said control handles are fulcrumed with capacity for independentactuation, connectors coordinating the control handles with theindividual valves, a toggle link interposed in each connector andpivoted to each control handle to hold such handle set when swung toopen the corresponding valve, a trip member common to the toggle linkssecured to the shaft, and means whereby said shaft may be rocked toactuate the trip member of simultaneous tripping of the toggles of anycontrol handles pre-set as aforesaid to release the correspondingvalves.

14. Valve operating mechanism for multicompartment tanks of vehiclesemployed in the transport of fuel oils and the like and having separateself-closing valves to govern discharge of the liquids from theindividual compartments, said mechanism comprising a segregated group ofindependently-operable controls in the form of lever handles convenientof access at a suitable point on the vehicle, connectors coordinatingthe control handles individually with the valves, an element associatedwith each control handle to hold it set when swung to open thecorresponding valve. a trip member common to the holding element of theseveral control handles, and means local to said handles whereby thetrip member may be actuated to simultaneously trip the toggle links ofany handles pre-set as aforesaid to release the corresponding valves.

15. Valve operating mechanism for multi-- compartment tanks of vehiclesemployed in the transport of fuel oils and the like, having separateself-closing valves to govern discharge of the liquids from theindividual compartments, said valve mechanism comprising a segregatedgroup of independently-operable controls in the form of lever handlesconvenient of access at a suitable point on the vehicle, connectorscoordinating the control handles individually with the valves, anelement associated with each of the control handles to hold it set whenswung to open the corresponding valve, a trip member common to theholding elements of the several control handles, means local to thecontrol handles whereby the trip member may be actuated tosimultaneously trip the toggles of any of said handles, pre-set asaforesaid, to release the corresponding valves, and supplemental meanswhereby the trip member may be actuated at a point remote from thecontrol handles.

16. Valve operating mechanism for multi-compartment tanks of vehiclesemployed in the transport of fuel oils and the like, and having separateself-closing valves to govern discharge of the liquids from theindividual compartments, said mechanism comprising a segregated group ofindependently-operable controls in the form of lever handles convenientof access at a suitable point on the vehicle, connectors coordinatingthe control handles indiv. dually with the drain valves, an elementassociated with each control handle to hold it set when swung to openthe corresponding valve, a trip member common to the holding elements ofthe several control handles, means whereby the trip member may beactuated to simultaneously trip the toggles of any control handlespre-set as aforesaid to release the corresponding valves, andsupplemental means responsive to excessive heat or flame and operativeto automatically actuate the trip member in the event of fire.

1'7. Valve operating mechanism for multi-compartment tanks of vehiclesemployed to transport fuel oils and the like and having separateselfclosing valves to govern discharge of the liquids from theindividual compartments into a common rearwardly extending drain pipe,said mechanism comprising .a segregated group of independently operablecontrols in the form of lever handles convenient of access at the rear01' the vehicle, connectors coordinating the control handlesindividually with the drain valves, an element associated with eachcontrol handle to hold it set when swung to open the correspondingvalve, a trip member common to the holding elements of the severalcontrol handles, means local to the control handles whereby the tripmember may be actuated to simultaneously trip the toggles of any controlhandles pre-se't as aforesaid, to release the corresponding valves, andsupplemental means likewise at the rear of the vehicle responsive toexcessive heat or flame and operative automatically to actuate the tripmember in the event of a fire at the delivery end of the drain pipe.

13. Valve operating mechanism for multl-compartment tanks of vehiclesemployed in the transport of fuel oils and the like, and having separateself-closing valves to govern discharge of the liquids from theindividual compartments into a drain pipe extending to the rear end ofthe vehicle, said mechanism comprising asegregated group ofindependently-operable controls in the form of lever handles convenientof access in a utility compartment at the rear of the tank above thedelivery end of the drain pipe, connectors extending from the controlhandles in the utility box to the individual drain valves, an elementassociated with each control handle to hold such handle set when swungto open the corresponding valve, a trip member common to the holdingelements of the several control handles, means within the utility boxwhereby the trip member may be manually actuated to simultaneously tripthe holding elements of any control handles pre-set as aforesaid torelease the corresponding valves, and supplemental means likewise withinthe utility box responsive to excessive heat or flame and operative toautomatically actuate the trip member in the event of fire at thedelivery end of the drain pipe.

19. Valve operating mechanism for multi-compartment tanks of vehiclesemployed in the delivery of fuel oils and the like and having separateself-closing valves to govern discharge.

of liquids from the individual compartments, said mechanism comprising asegregated group of independently-operable controls in the form of leverhandles located in a utility box at the rear end of the vehicle, a shaftwhereon said control handles are fulcrumed with capacity for independentactuation, connectors coordinating the control handles with theindividual valves, an

element associated with each control handle to hold the latter set whenswung to open the corr p nd n valve, a trip member secured to the shaftand having a cross bar common to the holding elements and means withinthe utility box whereby the shaft may manually be rocked to actuate thetrip member and thereby efiect simultaneous tripping of the holdingmembers of any control handles pre-set as aforesaid to release thecorresponding valve.

20. Valve operating mechanism for multi-compartment tanks of vehiclesemployed in the transport of fuel oils and the like and having separateself-closing valves to govern discharge of liquids from the individualcompartments, said mechanism comprising a segregated group ofindependently-operable controls in the form of lever handles located ina utility box at the rear end of the vehicle, connectors coordinatingthe control handles with the individual valves, an element associatedwith each control handle to hold it set when swung to open thecorresponding valve, a trip member common to the holding elements, meanswithin the utility box whereby the trip member may be actuated to tripthe holding members of any control handles pre-set as aforesaid, forrelease of the corresponding valves, and supplemental means whereby thetrip member may be manually actuated from the front end of the vehicle.

21. Valve operating mechanism for multi-compartment tanks of vehiclesemployed in the transport of fuel oils and the like, and having separateself-closing valves to govern discharge the control handles with theindividual valves,

rear end of the vehicle, connectors coordinating an element associatedwith each such control handle to hold the latter set when swung to openthe corresponding valve, a trip member common to the holding elementsofthe several control handles, and means connecting the trip member to thedoor of the utility compartment whereby, as said door is closed, saidtrip member is automatically actuated to trip the holding elements ofany handles pre-set as aforesaid, to release the corresponding valves.

22. Valve operating mechanism for multi-compartment tanks of vehiclesemployed in the transport of fuel oils and the like and having separateself-closing valves to govern discharge of liquid from theindividualcompartments, said mechanism comprising a segregated group ofindependently-operable controls in the form of lever handles, connectorscoordinating the control handles with the individual valves, an ele mentassociated with each control handle to hold it set when swung to openthe corresponding valve, a trip member common to the several holdingelements, means whereby the trip member may be manually actuated to tripthe holding elements of any control handles pre-set as aforesaid, torelease the corresponding valves, means whereby the trip member may bemanually actuated, and safety means for automatically actuating'the tripmember in the event of fire including a spring, and a fusible memberadapted to melt under the action of excessive heat or of flame torelease the spring for exertion of its force upon said tripv means.

23. Valve operating mechanism for multicompartment tanks of vehiclesemployed in the transport of fuel oils and the like and having separateself-closing valves to govern discharge of liquids from the individualcompartments into a common drain pipe extending rearward of the vehicle,said mechanism comprising a segregated group of independently-operablecontrols in the form of lever handles located in a utility box at therear end of the vehicle, connectors coordinating the control handleswith the individual valves, a shaft on which said handles are fulcrumedwith capacity for independent actuation, an element associated with eachcontrol handle to hold it set when swung to open the correspondingvalve, a trip member secured to the shaft and having a bar common to theseveral holding elements, a separate lever secured to the shaft wherebythe trip member may be manually actuated to trip the holding members ofany control handles pre-set as aforesaid, to release the correspondingvalves, a flexible connector extending from the trip handle in theutility box forward fire including a. collar on the flexible connector,

a spring, and a fusible element adapted to melt under the action ofexcessive heat or of flame to release the spring for exertion of itsforce upon the collar of the flexible connector.

24. Valve operating mechanism for multicompartment tanks havingself-closing valves to govern discharge of liquid from the individualcompartments, said mechanism comprising a segregated group ofindependently-operable controls in the form of lever handles, an elementassociated with each control handle to hold it set when swung to openthe corresponding valve, flexible cable connectors coordinating theholding elements individually with the valves; slack takeup meansinterposed in the flexible connectors; a trip member common to theholding elements, and means whereby the trip member may be actuated tosimultaneously trip the holding element of any control handles, pre-setas aforesaid, to release the corresponding valves.

25. Valve operating mechanism for multicompartment tanks having separateself-closing valves to govern discharge of liquids from the individualcompartments, said mechanisrri comprising a segregated group ofindependentlyoperable controls in the form of lever handles, an elementassociated with each control'handle to set it when swimg to open thecorresponding valve, flexible cable connectors coordinating the holdingelements individually with the valves,

screw links interposed between the holding elements and the flexiblecable connectors whereby the slack of the latter may betaken up, a-tripmember common to the holding elements and means whereby the tripmembermay-be actuated to simultaneously trip the holding elements of anycontrol handles, pre-set as aforesaid, to release the correspondingvalves.

26. Valve operating mechanism for multicompartment tanks havingself-closing bottom valves with individual actuating means at the top ofthe tank to govern discharge of liquids from the individualcompartments, saidmechanism comprising a segregated-groupofindependently-operable controls-in the'fornr of lever-handles at therear end of the tank, an element associated with'each control handle tohold it set when swung to open the corresponding valve, flexible cableconnectors dordinatingthe holding elements individually withtheactuators'at the top of the tank, means 'forguiding the movement 'of thecables, a trip member' common to the holding elements, and "meanswhereby the trip memberinay'be actuated to simultaneously 'trip theholding elements of'any control handles,

pre-set as aforesaid, to release the corresponding valves.

27. Valve operating mechanism for 'multicompartment tanks havingseparate-self closing bottom valves with individual actuating means atthe top of the tank togovern discharge-of liquids from the individualcompartments, said mechanism comprising a segregated groupofindependently operable controls in the form of lever handles attliereare'ndof-thetank, an element associatedwitlreach' control handle tohold it set when swung to "open the corresponding valve, flexible cableconnectors coordinating the holding' ele'ments individually with theactuators at-the top of the" tank, fixed guide tubes 'for'the connectorsextending'along the'top of the tank and downwardly of its rear end to apoint near the controls, a trip member common to the holding elements,and means whereby the trip membermay' be actuated tosimultaneously tripthe holding elementsof any control'handles, pre-set as aforesaid, torele'asethe corresponding valve.

28. Valve "operating mechanism for multicompartment tanks with"self-closing valves to govern discharge "of-liquids from theindividualcompartments, comprising a segregated group of independently-operablelever i handles; connectors coordinated at one of 'their'ends 'with' therespective valves andpivotally' connected at their other ends :tocenters on the respective lever handles eccentric to the handlefulcrums, whereby, when said handles are swung'm one direction,

or handles, pre-set as aforesaid to release the corresponding valves.

29. Valve operating mechanism for multicompartment tanks withself-closing valves to govern discharge of liquids from the individualcompartments, comprising a segregated group of 1 independently-operablelever control handles; connectors coordinated at one of their ends withthe respective valves and pivotally connected at their other ends tocenters on the respective. lever handles eccentric to the handlefulcrums, whereu by, when said handles are swung substantially through aquadrant from normal position, the corresponding valves are "moved toopen position and held set in such position by toggle action;

a trip member; and means whereby the trip a member may be actuated tosimultaneously trip any handle or'handles, vpre-set asaforesaid, torelease the corresponding valves.

30. Valve operating mechanism for multi-com partment tanks withself-closing valves to govern u discharge of liquids from the individualcompartments, comprising a segregated group of independently-operablelever handles of angular configuration; and connectors coordinated atone of their ends with the respective valves and pivotally connected attheir other ends to centers at the angles of the respective leverseccentric to the handle fulcrums, whereby, when said handles are swungthrough substantially a quadrant in one direction, the correspondingvalves are opened and held set in open position by toggle action.

' 31. Valve-operating mechanism for 'multi-compartment tanks withself-closing valves to govern discharge of liquids from the individualcompartments, comprising a'segregated group of independently-operablelever handles of angular configuration; connectors coordinated at one oftheir ends with the respective valves and pivotally connected at theirother ends to centers at the angles of the respective levers andeccentric to the handle fulcrums, whereby, when said handles areswungthrough substantially a quadrant to release the"corresponding valves.

32. Valve operating mechanism for multi-com-i partm'ent tanks withself-closing valves to govern discharge of 'partments, comprising asegregated group of inliquidsirom the individual comdependently-operablelever handles; connectors coordinated at one of their ends with therespec-nm tive valves; te'rminalssecured to the other ends of theconnectorsand pivotally connected to centers on the respective leverhandles eccentric to the handle fulcrums, whereby, when said handles areswung in one direction, the correspond-c.

ing valves are opened and held set in open positionby toggle action; atrip member; and means whereby the trip member may be actuated tosimultaneously trip any handle or handles, preset as' aforesaid, torelease the corresponding) valves.

33. Valve operating mechanism for multi-compa'rtment tanks of vehiclesemployed in the transport of fuel oils and the like, having separatesli' ciosfing vaives to govemdischarge oi liquids iojreo r from theindividual compartments, said mechanism comprising a segregated group ofindependently-operable lever handles fulcrumed to swing on a commonaxis; connectors coordinated at one of their ends to the respectivevalves and pivotally connected at their other ends to centers on therespective lever handles eccentric to the handle fulcrums, whereby, whensaid handles are swung in one direction, the corresponding valves areopened and held set in open position by toggle action; a trip member;and means whereby said trip member may be actuated to simultaneouslytrip any control handle or handles, preset as aforesaid, to release thecorresponding valves.

34. Valve operating mechanism for multi-compartment tanks of vehiclesemployed in the transport of fuel oils and the like, having separateself-closing valves to govern the discharge of liquids from theindividual compartments, said mechanism comprising a segregated group ofindependently-operable lever handles located within a utility box at therear of the vehicle; a door on said box permitting access to thehandles; connectors coordinated at one of their ends with the respectivevalves and pivotally connected at their other ends to centers on therespective lever handles eccentric to the handle fulcrums, whereby, whensaid handles are swung in one direction, the corresponding valves areopened and held set in open position by toggle action; a trip member;and means automatically operated incident to closing the door of theutility compartment to trip any handle or handles, preset as aforesaid,with attendant release of the valves.

35. Valve operating mechanism for multi-compartment tanks of vehiclesemployed in the transport of fuel oils and the like, having separateselfclosing yalves to govern the discharge of liquids from theindividual compartments, said mechanism comprising a segregated group ofindependently-operable lever handles located within a utility box at therear of the vehicle; a door on said box permitting access to thehandles; and connectors coordinated at one of their ends with therespective valves and pivotally connected at their other ends to centerson the respective lever handles eccentric to the handle fulcrums,whereby, when said handles are swung downward from a normal verticalposition to horizontal position,

'set as aforesaid to said valves" are set in open position by toggleaction.

36. Valve operating mechanism for multi-compartment tanks havingseparate self-closing valves to govern discharge of liquids from theindividual compartments, said mechanism comprising a segregated group ofindependently-operable lever handles; and flexible connectorscoordinating the valves with toggle centers on the handles whereby, whenswung to open the respective valves, said handles are held set undertoggle action.

37. Valve operating mechanism for multi-compartment tanks havingseparate self-closing valves to govern discharge of liquids fromindividual compartments, said mechanism compris- 1 ing a segregatedgroup of independently operable lever handles; and flexible connectorsextending individually from the valves; terminal members on saidconnectors pivoted to toggle centers on the corresponding levers so thatwhen swung to open the valves, the levers are held set by toggle action.

38. Valve operating mechanism for multi-compartment tanks havingseparate self-closing valves to govern discharge of liquids from theindividual compartments, said mechanism comprising a segregated group ofindependentlyoperable lever handles; flexible connectors coordinatingthe valves individually with toggle centers on the levers, whereby whensaid levers are swung to open the valves said valves are held open bytoggle action; a trip member; and means whereby the trip member may beactuated to simultaneously trip any handle or handles prerelease thecorresponding valves.

39. Valve operating mechanism for multi-compartment tanks havingseparate self-closing valves to govern discharge of liquids fromindividual compartments, said mechanism comprising a segregated group ofindependently-operable lever handles; flexible connectors extendingindividually from the valves; terminal members on said connectorspivoted to toggle centers on the corresponding levers so that, whenswung to open the valves, the levers are held set by toggle action; atrip member; and means whereby the trip member may be actuated tosimultaneously trip any handle or handles pre-set as aforesaid, torelease the corresponding valves.

JAMES A. JENSEN.

